TN: Rosenblum reds, 2005 Open House

Rosenblum Cellars winery open house Quarterly Event in Alameda, California Feb. 20, 2005

I attend Rosenblum's quarterly open houses often; I have made it to most of them in fact over the past several years with my wife and various friends. I've been a fan of Rosenblum's Zins since 1994. It all started with the Harris Kratka back then.

Here are brief tasting notes from this weekend's open house.

My system: 4 stars = The Best-96-100 pts. and generally not attainable 3 stars = Superb, excellent, well-rounded full bodied wine for its clbutt-style-variety 2 stars = Very good wine, worth owning 1 star = good wine, but not that notable or exciting 0 stars or empty, not worth talking about or owning, boring, thin, or nasty

Two Stars (**) or better: 2003 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley, $40 (***), the Best. 2003 Zinfandel, Carla's Vineyard, Amador County, $26 (**1-2), among the best. 2001 Holbrook Mitchell Trio (bourdeaux blend), $36 (**1-2) 2003 Zinfandel, Aparacio Vineyard, Amador County, $22 2003 Zinfandel, Planchon Vineyard, San francisco Bay, $22 2002 Zinfandel, Annette's Reserve, Redwood Valley, $30 2002 Zinfandel, Cullinane, Sonoma County, $45 2001 Zinfandel, Lyon's, Napa Valley, $34

1.5 stars: '02 Harris Kratka Zin, '03 Rockpile Road Zin, '02 Lyon's Zin, '00 Holbrook Mitchell Trio "cab", ($29 - $40 each)

Many 1-stars, including: '02 RustRidge Zin, '02 Alegria Zin, '02 Eagle Point Ranch Zin, '01 Merlot Mountain Selection

Very tasteworthy but unrated: '02 Late Harvest Viognier (Lodi) $16 for 375ml, and '03 Late Harvest Zin, Rosie Rabbit (Calif.) $18 for 375ml

I tasted a few other wines but made no notes.